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Two wolf attacks on humans occurred in 2000.
Icy Bay, Alaska - Six-year-old John Stenglein and a nine-year-old friend were playing outside his
family's trailer at a logging camp when a wild wolf came out of the woods towards the boys. The boys ran and the
wolf attacked young Stenglein from the back, biting him on the back and buttocks. Adults, hearing the boy's
screams, came and chased the wolf away. The wolf returned a few moments later and was shot. According to Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) officials, the wolf was a healthy wild wolf that apparently attacked
without provocation. The boy was flown to Yakutat and recieved stitches there for his wounds. Later, however, the
bites became infected and the boy had to be hospitalized. (Reports and Interviews on file and available upon
request.)
Vargas Island, British Colombia - University student, Scott Langevin, 23, was on a kayak trip with
friends. They camped out on a beach and, about 1 AM, Langevin awoke with something pulling on his sleeping bag. He
looked out and came face to face with a wild wolf. Langevin yelled at the wolf and it attacked, biting him on the
hand. Langevin attempted to force the wolf toward a nearby campfire, but as he turned, the wolf jumped on his back
and started biting him on the back of his head. Friends, hearing his yells, came to his aid and scared the wolf
away. Fifty (50) stitches were required to close the wound on Langevin's head. British Colombia Ministry of
Enviroment officials speculate the reason for the attack was due to the wolves occasionally being fed by humans
although there was no evidence that Langevin or any of his party fed these animals. (Reports and Interviews on file
and available upon request.)
This is but a brief summary of a few verifiable accounts of attacks on humans by healthy wild
wolves in North American History.
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